The Bedford Gallery's Cut Up/Cut Out, an exhibition of local, national, and international artists explored the captivating methods of decorative piercing and cutting, using a wide range of media from paper and plastic to metal and rubber.

About

The transformative nature of cutting into and through a surface provides endless possibilities for converting the material from opaque to transparent, from flat to sculptural, from rigid to delicate, and from ordinary to exquisite. The process and precision required for this method of art-making is laborious, technically demanding, and always astonishing. Organized by the Bedford Gallery, Cut Up/Cut Out traveled nationally from 2017–2020.

The art of cutting paper dates back thousands of years, with early artworks coming from 6th century China. Originally a decorative handcraft for women, Chinese paper-cutting eventually expanded into rural areas, becoming a staple at religious ceremonies and festivals. By the 14th century, paper-cutting spread to the rest of the world bringing in a new wave of folk art traditions. Cut Up/Cut Out honors both innovation and tradition with a selection of over 50 artists representing diverse styles and techniques.

Artwork Credits

1. Mounir Fatmi, Between the Lines, 2010, circular saw blade, 58.5 inches diameter. Photo courtesy of Shoshanna Wayne Gallery.
2. Rogan Brown, Magic Circle Variation 6, 2015, hand and laser cut paper, 38 x 37 x 4 inches.
3. Wim Delvoye, Untitled (Car Tyre), 2011, hand-carved tire, 26.75 x 5.25 inches. Photo courtesy of Galeerie Perrotin.